Middle-schoolers invited to Health Careers Expo

Middle school students have the opportunity to learn about career options in health care at an upcoming event.

The Washington Street Community Center, Newton County Schools, Newton Medical Center and several physicians and community members are joining together to hold the Newton County Health Careers Expo, for students in grades 6-8, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Newton County College and Career Academy, 144 Ram Drive.

Bea Jackson, WSCC executive director, said the career expo will feature several area physicians, along with professionals who specialize in urgent care, pharmacy, labs, dentistry and a number of other health careers.

Students will have the opportunity to talk with health professionals and experience some areas of their work by choosing from among approximately 15 "stations."

"We wanted a twist on what you kind of know as your ordinary career fair or career day where you get a speaker to come in and they tell people about their careers," Jackson said. "Here, they are going to actually engage those students into activities where they can really see and experience what it’s like to be in the shoes of that particular profession."

Jackson said a committee of professionals and other community residents collaborated to put on the expo. She said the committee decided to design the fair for middle-school students, who are at an age when they are "really sponges.

"They are really curious about things, and they want to know how things work. We’re hoping that in the process of them learning how things are working and how it’s done, that it’ll also carry over into the classroom ... and overall career goals," Jackson said.

Tina Ulmer, a committee member, echoed Jackson on the importance of focusing on middle-schoolers.

"By the time they get to high school, they are kind of somewhat focused already, or if not focused, have an idea of where they’re going. … Sometimes (middle-schoolers) get caught in the crossfire or in the middle, and that’s when they really do need some guidance," Ulmer said.

"So things like this, I think will kind of help them start to really think about their future and their education and where they are going career wise. I hear students often talking about what they want to be, but I think seeing something like this and the fact that it’s so interactive, helps them to really understand the importance of education."

Jackson said the expo is set to serve 1,000 students. In addition, she said the committee is working to provide students who attend a healthy snack or sack lunch. She said donations are beingaccepted.

For more information or to register, call 770-786-4002. To register online, visit http://i-m.co/cwillams77/nccshealth.